Rackable wood privacy fence panel

ABSTRACT

A fence panel includes a pair of end caps and a pair of rails extending between the end caps. Each rail includes a longitudinally extending groove. A plurality of pickets extend between each pair of rails and are retained within the grooves. Each picket has an end with an end feature formed therein which permits the pickets to cant in the grooves during racking of the fence panel. In an implementation, the pickets are formed from short boards, with separate boards on each row providing the illusion of one solid board running top to bottom for each picket while not requiring a single continuous length board. Alternatively, the pickets are formed of longer boards providing one board running from top to bottom. The short boards for the pickets can be made from lumber mill board “shorts” or “drops,” or alternatively made from recycled fencing materials. The shorts can be joined end to end to form longer boards.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/150,961 filed Feb. 9, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fence panels.

2. Description of Related Art

Fence panels are commonly used in connection with the erection of barriers. For example, it is known to produce a fence panel made of a metal material (such as, iron). These panels are typically assembled from bar stock material and are welded together to form a standard rectangular panel assembly that may be 6-10 feet tall and 12-20 feet long. Each panel is installed between a pair of vertical fence posts in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

It is recognized that the terrain over which fences are installed can undulate. In such cases, the fence must accommodate the changes in elevation over the length of the fence line. To address this issue with a standard fence panel whose rectangular dimensions are fixed at manufacture, fence installers will typically stair-step the panels from post to post so that the pickets remain vertical. Alternatively, a custom shaped fence panel with a parallelogram shape and vertical pickets can be designed and installed. The first option is not preferred from an aesthetic perspective and because it provides for an uneven gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground, and the second option is not preferred from a financial perspective due to the added cost of custom manufacture.

It also known in the art to use fence panels that can be racked in order to change their shape from rectangular to a parallelogram with a desired angular relationship that conforms to the undulating ground terrain while maintaining the fence pickets in a vertical relationship. These rackable panels are preferred because they can be installed in their conventional rectangular configuration over flat terrain, and alternatively racked to accommodate changes in terrain. The panels are designed so that the pickets remain in a vertical orientation as the panel is racked into a parallelogram shape. There is an increase in cost with respect to providing rackable fence panels due to the added complexity of supporting a racking operation.

There is a need for an inexpensive rackable fence panel design. There is also a need for such a design which can provide privacy.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a fence panel comprises: a pair of end caps; a pair of rails extending between the end caps; each rail including a longitudinally extending groove; and a plurality of pickets extending between the pair of rails and retained within the grooves, each picket having an end with an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the pickets to cant in the grooves during racking of the fence panel.

In an implementation, the privacy fence panel utilizes multiple short boards per picket that are located in grooves in the rails. This provides the illusion of one solid board running top to bottom for the picket, while not requiring a single continuous length board. Short pieces of lumber that are normally discarded can thus be used without waste in a fencing application.

In another implementation, the privacy fence panel uses vertical boards of a single continuous length configured and associated with supporting structure in the rails that permits the panel to be racked. Short pieces of lumber that are normally discarded can be joined end to end and used without waste in a fencing application. The joints between the boards in a single picket can be hidden using a covering middle rail in the panel.

In an embodiment, a fence panel comprises: a pair of end caps; a top rail extending between the end caps, the top rail including a first longitudinally extending groove; a middle rail extending between the end caps, the middle rail including a second longitudinally extending groove and a third longitudinally extending groove opposite the second longitudinally extending groove; a first plurality of short board pickets extending in a first row between the first longitudinally extending groove and the second longitudinally extending groove; and a second plurality of short board pickets extending in a second row below the first row, the second plurality of short board pickets retained within the third longitudinally extending groove, each picket in the first and second pluralities of short board pickets having an end with an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the pickets to cant in the grooves during racking of the fence panel, the first and second rows providing the illusion of one solid picket board running from top to bottom for each picket.

In an embodiment, a fence panel comprises: a pair of end caps; a top rail extending between the end caps, the top rail including a first longitudinally extending groove; a bottom rail extending between the end caps, the bottom rail including a second longitudinally extending groove; a middle rail extending between the end caps, the middle rail including a longitudinally extending gap; and a plurality of board pickets extending between the first and second longitudinally extending grooves and passing through the gap of the middle rail; each picket having an end with an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the pickets to cant in the first and second longitudinally extending grooves during racking of the fence panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be acquired by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled fence panel;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partially broken away side view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the embodiment of an assembled fence panel in a racked configuration;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a partially broken away side view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate three options for picket assembly in the fence panels of FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C;

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate five options for picket shape to support both a standard installation as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and a racking installation as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end cap for the fence panels of FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembled fence panel;

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a partially broken away side view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of an assembled fence panel in a racked configuration;

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a partially broken away side view of the fence panel shown in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end cap for the fence panels of FIGS. 6A-6C and 7A-7C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to FIG. 1A which shows a perspective view of an assembled fence panel 10 in a rectangular configuration. FIGS. 1B and 1C show the panel 10 in an exploded perspective view and partially broken away side view, respectively. The panel 10 includes a pair of end caps 12 (see, also, FIG. 5) including a plurality of notches 14 for receiving the ends of rails 16. The notches 14 are generally rectangular in shape and are sized in the vertical dimension to be slightly larger than the ends of rails 16 in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein. A groove 15 extends along the length of the end cap through the notches 14. The rails 16 each have at least one longitudinally extending groove 18. The top and bottom rails have a single groove 18, and thus can be described as having a generally C-shaped cross-section. The middle rails have two opposed grooves 18, and thus can be described as having a generally H-shaped cross-section. The rails 16 are shown with square end, but may alternatively have rounded ends as shown in FIG. 6B. A plurality of pickets 20 extend vertically between two rails 16, the ends of the pickets being inserted into, and retained by, the grooves 18. The ends of the pickets 20, as received in the grooves 18, are shaped (see, FIGS. 1C and 4A-4E) in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein. Furthermore, the width dimension of the grooves 18 is slightly larger than the width of the pickets 20 in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein. The sides of the end-most pickets 20 are inserted into the groove 15.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate three options for side-by-side picket assembly in the fence panel shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 3A shows the use of an overlapping joint with respect to the side edges of adjacent pickets. FIG. 3B shows the use of a butt or flush joint with respect to the side edges of adjacent pickets. FIG. 3C shows a tongue and groove joint with respect to the side edges of adjacent pickets. The implementation of FIG. 3C is preferred. The joints in FIGS. 3A-3C are all “floating” joints which allow for longitudinal movement of the pickets with respect to each other in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate five options for the shape of the ends of the pickets 20. FIGS. 4B and 4E show the end shape configuration for the pickets 20 used in FIGS. 1A-1C. The end shapes support a racking feature for the fence panel as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. At the end 40 of each picket 20 there is provided a relief feature 42 that effectuates a shortening of the picket on at least one side edge allowing for the picket to cant or tilt when the fence panel orientation is racked from a rectangular shape (FIGS. 1A-1C) to a parallelogram shape (FIGS. 2A-2C). FIG. 2C specifically shows how the presence of the relief feature 42 facilitates the canting of the picket in the rail groove. The relief feature 42 is preferably provided at each end of the picket, and further is preferably located on opposite sides of the picket with respect to opposite ends.

FIG. 4A shows a relief feature 42 associated with both sides of the picket. This end shape allows the picket to cant to both the left and right. FIG. 4B shows a relief feature 42 on one side which allows the picket to cant to the right. FIG. 4C shows a relief feature which extends from side to side at each end. This relief feature allows the picket to cant to the right. FIG. 4D shows a relief feature 42 associated with both sides of the picket. This end shape in the form of an arc allows the picket to cant to both the left and right. FIG. 4E shows a relief feature 42 on one side which allows the picket to cant to the left. FIG. 4E is essentially the opposite orientation of FIG. 4B. FIG. 4C would similarly have an opposite orientation (not shown).

Lumber mills, distributors, and retailers often produce what are called “drops” or “shorts” (generally less than 24 inches long) in the production and sale of lumber. This material is often good quality but too short to be sold. In many cases this material ends up in land fills or is chopped into mulch, neither of which is a good use of this natural resource. These “shorts” can advantageously be used in connection with the fence panel described herein to form the pickets 20.

There are a number of wooden fences which have been installed with vertical pickets 6-8 feet in length. As these wood fences age, the wood deteriorates, especially at the end installed near the ground. When these wood fences are replaced, it has been noted that 50% or more of the lumber is still useable. However, most often this fence wood is simply sent to a landfill. Because the pickets 20 do not need long lengths of lumber, the fence wood from old fences can be recycled. Selective cutting of the long pickets to avoid end cracks, rot and nail holes can produce good quality pickets 20 for use in the panels described herein.

The design shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C provides a privacy fence panel of a unique design because it utilizes short boards that are located in grooves in the rails. This provides the illusion of one solid board running top to bottom for the picket, while not requiring a single continuous length board. Short pieces of lumber that are normally discarded can thus be used without waste in a fencing application.

A potential drawback of the design shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C is that it can be difficult, when racking the panel, to ensure that the pickets in each row vertically align with each other to produce the illusion of a single picket. If care is not taken when racking the panel, a horizontal offset of the vertical picket edges in adjacent rows can be introduced and this can be a distraction. To address this issue, an alternative embodiment will now be described which does not utilize individual short pickets 20 in each row.

Reference is made to FIG. 6A which shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for an assembled fence panel 110 in a rectangular configuration. FIGS. 6B and 6C show the panel 110 in an exploded perspective view and partially broken away back side view, respectively. The panel 110 includes a pair of end caps 112 (see, also, FIGS. 5 and 8) including a plurality of notches 114 for receiving the ends of rails 116 and 117. The notches 114 are generally rectangular in shape and are sized in the vertical dimension to be slightly larger than the ends of rails 116 and 117 in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein. The shape of the bottom of the notch 114 can be made to conform to the rounded shape of the end of the rails 116 and 117 to provide for smoother pivoting when the panel is racked. A groove 115 extends along the length of the end cap through the notches 114. The top and bottom rails 116 each have at least one longitudinally extending groove 118, and thus can be described as having a generally C-shaped cross-section. The rails 116 can be formed of a single piece of material (as shown with rail 16 in FIG. 1B), or can be formed from a lamination of three material pieces including two side pieces 119 that sandwich a center piece 121 wherein the groove 118 is formed by the difference in height of the pieces 119 and 121. The middle rails 117 are formed from a pair of opposed side pieces 119 spaced apart from each other to provide a gap 123 there between. The rails 116 and 117 are shown with rounded ends, but may alternatively have square ends as shown with rails 16 in FIG. 1B as long as the notches 114 provide sufficient space for the rails to pivot. A plurality of pickets 120 extend vertically between the top and bottom rails 116, the ends of the pickets being inserted into, and retained by, the grooves 118 and passing through the gap 123. The ends of the pickets 120, as received in the grooves 118, are shaped (see, FIGS. 6C and 4A-4E) in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein. Furthermore, the width dimension of the grooves 118, and spacing provided by the gap 123, is slightly larger than the width of the pickets 120 in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein. The sides of the end-most pickets 120 in the panel are inserted into the groove 115.

Specific reference is now made to FIG. 6C which shows a partially broken away back side view of the fence panel 110. At the very least every few pickets 120 (and preferably at every picket), a screw 200 is used to secure the top of the picket to the front side piece 119(f) of the top rail 116. A similar screw 200 installation is made at the bottom of the picket 120 to the bottom rail 116 (not shown). These screws 200 are not visible from the front side of the panel (see, FIG. 6A). The back side piece 119(b) is then attached to the center piece 121 using periodically placed screws 202 (as few screws as possible are used). These screws 202 are not visible from the front side of the panel (see, FIG. 6A). At least every few pickets 120 (and preferably at every picket), a screw 204 is used to secure the middle of the picket to the front side piece 119(f) of the middle rail 117. This screw 204 is not visible from the front side of the panel (see, FIG. 6A). The back side piece 119(b) is then attached to the middle of the picket using periodically placed screws 206 (as few screws as possible are used). These screws 206 are not visible from the front side of the panel (see, FIG. 6A). It will accordingly be recognized that none of this securing hardware is visible from the front side of the fence panel, and only a small amount of the hardware (such as screws 202 and 206 will be visible from the back side of the panel.

FIG. 6C further shows a partial cut-away of the end cap 112 showing the formation of the notch 114 with a shape to receive the end of the rail 116 and 117. The bottom of the notch 114 is provided with a curved shape that complements the curved shape of the rail end. An opening 220 is formed in the rail end and aligned with a corresponding opening 222 formed on the back side of the end cap 112 (see, FIG. 6B). A screw 224 is driven through the openings 220 and 222 and into the oppose side of the end cap 112 to form a pivot point between the end cap 112 and rail 116/117 at each notch 114. FIG. 6C further shows the groove 115 and the placement of the edge of the picket 120 within the groove 115.

With reference to FIG. 6A, this shows a front side of the panel in the assembled form. It will be noted that none of the screw hardware previously discussed is visible from this side of the panel.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate three options for side-by-side picket assembly in the fence panel shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. FIG. 3A shows the use of an overlapping joint with respect to the side edges of adjacent pickets. FIG. 3B shows the use of a butt or flush joint with respect to the side edges of adjacent pickets. FIG. 3C shows a tongue and groove joint with respect to the side edges of adjacent pickets. The implementation of FIG. 3C is preferred. The joints in FIGS. 3A-3C are all “floating” joints which allow for longitudinal movement of the pickets with respect to each other in order to support a racking feature to be described in more detail herein.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate five options for the shape of the ends of the pickets 120. FIG. 4D shows the end shape configuration for the pickets 120 used in FIGS. 7A-7C. The end shapes support a racking feature for the fence panel as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. At the end 40 of each picket 120 there is provided a relief feature 42 that effectuates a shortening of the picket on at least one side edge allowing for the picket to cant or tilt when the fence panel orientation is racked from a rectangular shape (FIGS. 6A-6C) to a parallelogram shape (FIGS. 7A-7C). FIG. 7C specifically shows how the presence of the relief feature 42 facilitates the canting of the picket in the rail groove. The relief feature 42 is preferably provided at each end of the picket, and further is preferably located on opposite sides of the picket with respect to opposite ends.

FIG. 4A shows a relief feature 42 associated with both sides of the picket. This end shape allows the picket to cant to both the left and right. FIG. 4B shows a relief feature 42 on one side which allows the picket to cant to the right. FIG. 4C shows a relief feature which extends from side to side at each end. This relief feature allows the picket to cant to the right. FIG. 4D shows a relief feature 42 associated with both sides of the picket. This end shape in the form of an arc allows the picket to cant to both the left and right. FIG. 4E shows a relief feature 42 on one side which allows the picket to cant to the left. FIG. 4E is essentially the opposite orientation of FIG. 4B. FIG. 4C would similarly have an opposite orientation (not shown).

Specific reference is now made to FIG. 7C which shows a partially broken away back side view of the fence panel 110 in its racked configuration. To change the panel configuration from the rectangular as shown in FIG. 6C to the racked as shown in FIG. 7C, only the screws 206 need to be removed (the back side pieces 119(b) need not be removed). The remaining screws function as pivot points and the panel is then racked to the desired angle. Once the desired angle is reached, the screws 206 are reinstalled. This most likely will require relocating the relative position of the screw hole in the securing piece, but this is easily accomplished through the use of self tapping screws or the drilling of a pilot hole. Because racking requires only the removal of the screws 206, it will be recognized that as few screws 206 as possible should be used in connection with manufacturing the panel in the rectangular configuration. If necessary, additional screws 200, 202, 204 and 206 can be driven with respect to final installation of the panel on the jobsite.

FIG. 7C further shows a partial cut-away of the end cap 112 showing the formation of the notch 114 with a shape to receive the end of the rail 116 and 117 in the racked orientation. The bottom of the notch 114 is provided with a curved shape that complements the curved shape of the rail end and supports the pivoting operation. The screw 224 which is driven through the openings 220 and 222 to form a pivot point between the end cap 112 and rail 116/117 at each notch 114 need not necessarily be removed when the panel is being racked. FIG. 7C further shows the groove 115 and haw the edge of the picket 120 has slid within the groove 115 during racking.

With reference to FIG. 7A, this shows a front side of the panel in the assembled and racked form. It will be noted that none of the screw hardware previously discussed is visible from this side of the panel.

In a panel having a size needing just a single middle rail 117, that middle rail can be placed halfway between the ends of the pickets 120. If care is taken in placement of the screw 204, this screw 204 may not need to be removed when racking the panel and the screw 204 in this position can function as a pivot point.

The preferred use of the options 4A and 4D for the shape of the ends of the pickets 120 is critical in this implementation because these shapes allow the fence panel to be racked in either direction. This provides for maximum flexibility at the jobsite and preserves the identification of one side of the panel as the front side and the other side of the panel as the back side regardless of racking direction.

Lumber mills, distributors, and retailers often produce what are called “drops” or “shorts” (generally less than 24 inches long) in the production and sale of lumber. This material is often good quality but too short to be sold. In many cases this material ends up in land fills or is chopped into mulch, neither of which is a good use of this natural resource. These “shorts” can advantageously be used in connection with the fence panel described herein to form the pickets 120 by assembling plural ones of these shorts together end-to-end using, for example, a dovetail joint 160, to make a longer picket.

There are a number of wooden fences which have been installed with vertical pickets 6-8 feet in length. As these wood fences age, the wood deteriorates, especially at the end installed near the ground. When these wood fences are replaced, it has been noted that 50% or more of the lumber is still useable. However, most often this fence wood is simply sent to a landfill. The fence wood from old fences can be recycled for use in the current fence panel. Selective cutting of the long pickets to avoid end cracks, rot and nail holes can produce good quality shorts that can advantageously be used in connection with the fence panel described herein to form the pickets 120 by assembling plural ones of these shorts together end-to-end using, for example, a dovetail joint 160, to make a longer picket.

In many fence installations, the presence of a joint 160 between two board pieces could be a distraction. However, with proper planning the joint 160 can be located along the length of the picket 120 to fall at the location of the rails 117. The rails 117 thus further function to hide the joint and permit use of the shorts in both painted and stained fence installations.

The embodiments disclosed herein solve a number of problems experienced with prior art rackable fence panels.

1. the rails are grooved at a size that is suitable for the picket to fit into. This produces a mechanical fit of the picket and therefore does not require any fasteners to attach the picket to the rail. Current fence designs have fasteners at each rail which produces an unattractive look;

2. the pickets are tongue and groove joined thus eliminating the need to overlap the pickets or add batons to cover the gaps in the fence boards. This design reduces the lumber required to produce a privacy fence;

3. this design produces a panel that is visibly attractive on both sides. This addresses a problem with traditional construction techniques where the panel is attractive on only one side;

4. this design has a bottom rail that protects the pickets from damage from landscaping equipment;

5. the panel has wood end caps that provide adjustment for width and also eliminates the need to add brackets to attach the rails to the post;

6. the pickets can be cut to allow the panel to be adjusted to follow the landscape of the site;

7. the panels can be packaged assembled or alternatively packaged in pieces for easy shipping.

The panel described herein is preferably made of wood. However, it will be understood that the panel can be made from other materials (natural and/or synthetic) as desired. Material choice is left to the user for consideration and decision. Synthetic or composite materials made to have the look and feel of wood could be used. A mixture of materials, including wood, metal, plastics, composites, synthetics, could be used.

It will be recognized that either implementation described herein is suitable for production in a kit form. Thus, the panels need not be assembled and shipped to the jobsite as a unit. Rather, the components of each panel can be collected in a kit for easier shipment, and then assembled on site. The modularity of the design and use of plural identically shaped and sized parts that fit together with relatively tight tolerances permit easy assembly by the consumer who lacks fence building skills and equipment.

The FIGURES presented herein illustrate a fence panel having, for example, a six foot height. This height is recognized as being one of the most popular fence heights selected by consumers, and in some instances required by ordinance. However, the fence panel described herein can have any selected height. Other standard heights include four feet and eight feet. Because of the modular design of the fence panels, it is possible to build a ten foot fence panel by stacking two modular six foot and four foot panels on top of each other. This modular system further allows the consumer to change fence heights (for example, shorter in the front and taller in the back in a step-up and step-down installation) yet have the fence remain attractive because the spacing and alignment of rails and pickets remains the same.

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. 

1. A fence panel, comprising: a pair of end caps; a pair of rails extending between the end caps; each rail including a longitudinally extending groove; and a plurality of pickets extending between the pair of rails and retained within the grooves, each picket having an end with an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the pickets to cant in the grooves during racking of the fence panel.
 2. The panel of claim 1 wherein the end feature of the picket has a shape which provides a relief feature.
 3. The panel of claim 2 wherein the relief feature is a sloped surface.
 4. The panel of claim 2 wherein the relief feature is a curved surface.
 5. The panel of claim 2 wherein the relief feature is two opposite sloped surfaces.
 6. The panel of claim 2 wherein the relief feature is a sloped surface and a horizontal surface.
 7. The panel of claim 1 further including at least one middle rail between the pair of rails and at least two rows of pickets extending between the rails, wherein the pickets in one row are separated from the pickets in another row.
 8. The panel of claim 7 wherein the pickets in one row are vertically aligned with the pickets in another row when the panel is in either a racked or un-racked orientation.
 9. The panel of claim 1 further including at least two middle rails and at least three rows of pickets extending between opposed pairs of those rails, wherein the pickets in one row are separated from the pickets in another row.
 10. The panel of claim 9 wherein the pickets in one row are vertically aligned with the pickets in all other rows when the panel is in either a racked or un-racked orientation.
 11. The panel of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of pickets extending between the pair of rails is made of a single material piece.
 12. The panel of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of pickets extending between the pair of rails is made of at least two joined together material pieces.
 13. The panel of claim 1 further including at least one middle rail between the pair of rails, wherein a joint between the material pieces is hidden by the middle rail.
 14. The panel of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of pickets extending between the pair of rails is made of at least two separate material pieces, the panel further including at least one middle rail including opposed longitudinally extending grooves, the at least two separate material pieces being retained within the opposed longitudinally extending grooves.
 15. The panel of claim 1 wherein each end cap includes a longitudinally extending channel which receives a side edge of one of the pickets.
 16. The panel of claim 1 provided in a kit form.
 17. The panel of claim 1 provided in an assembled form.
 18. The panel of claim 1 wherein each end cap includes a pair of notches sized to receive an end of the rails.
 19. The panel of claim 18 wherein the end of each rail includes an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the rail to cant in the notch during racking of the fence panel.
 20. The panel of claim 19 further comprising a pivot point formed between the end of the rail and the end cap in the notch.
 21. The panel of claim 19 wherein the end feature of the rail has a shape which provides a relief feature.
 22. The panel of claim 21 wherein the relief feature is a curved surface.
 23. A fence panel, comprising: a pair of end caps; a top rail extending between the end caps, the top rail including a first longitudinally extending groove; a middle rail extending between the end caps, the middle rail including a second longitudinally extending groove and a third longitudinally extending groove opposite the second longitudinally extending groove; a first plurality of short board pickets extending in a first row between the first longitudinally extending groove and the second longitudinally extending groove; and a second plurality of short board pickets extending in a second row below the first row, the second plurality of short board pickets retained within the third longitudinally extending groove, each picket in the first and second pluralities of short board pickets having an end with an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the pickets to cant in the grooves during racking of the fence panel, the first and second rows providing the illusion of one solid picket board running from top to bottom for each picket.
 24. A fence panel, comprising: a pair of end caps; a top rail extending between the end caps, the top rail including a first longitudinally extending groove; a bottom rail extending between the end caps, the bottom rail including a second longitudinally extending groove; a middle rail extending between the end caps, the middle rail including a longitudinally extending gap; and a plurality of board pickets extending between the first and second longitudinally extending grooves and passing through the gap of the middle rail; each picket having an end with an end feature having a non-squared end shape which permits the pickets to cant in the first and second longitudinally extending grooves during racking of the fence panel. 